My Story
I grew up knowing about God but not truly knowing God. By God's grace, I attended Samford University where I quickly began to meet people with a peace and joy in their lives I had long craved. One by one I inquired what was their source of contentment. Each answered the same - they knew Jesus in a real and personal way. On December 31, 1990 I met their Jesus.
I'd like to say that everything in my life changed immediately and I was instantly a faithful follower of Christ. Truth is for years I remained an acquaintance with Jesus. I met Him only briefly but we certainly weren't on a first name basis. I knew Him but not intimately. He knew my name but I rarely spoke His.
After college, I married in 1993 and was blessed with two daughters. After nearly nine years of marriage, it became apparent that my marriage was ending. In June 2002, I found myself in a new city, at a new job with a new life as a single mom. My relationship with God had gone from acquaintance to strained. I couldn't process these changes. This was not how my life was supposed to turn out.
During this season of estrangement from both marriage and God, He sent a most unexpected blessing my way. I met Scott Milholland first as a coworker, then as a friend and finally as husband and father to my two girls. God added the bonus of two more daughters.
At the start of our marriage Scott was a new Christian and I had front row seats to God's miracle of a changed life. Problem being I was a bit jealous. My husband transformed more in a few months than I had in fifteen years. I decided to get honest with God and admit that I didn't know Him intimately. I confessed I was a long-term new believer so I decided to begin where new believers start - by reading the gospel of John.
I read a chapter a day or so until I reached John 5. Here I found Jesus healing the man by the Pool at Bethesda. For thirty-eight years that man laid crippled, waiting for a miracle. Jesus looks down with compassion and asks a pointed yet poignant question. Do you want to be well? I knew with certainty He was asking me. I shouted yes in my heart. I took up my mat and began to follow Christ as closely as I knew how. I read and studied His word. I talked to Him in prayer.
My life radically changed. My marriage supernaturally transformed. My parenting permanently revolutionized. I became a woman in love with God one ordinary day at a time.
Today I speak and write to regular girls like me who just want to know if it's possible to have joy among miles of carpools and piles of laundry. Because of God's grace and mercy each ordinary day can be extraordinary.
I'd like to say that everything in my life changed immediately and I was instantly a faithful follower of Christ. Truth is for years I remained an acquaintance with Jesus. I met Him only briefly but we certainly weren't on a first name basis. I knew Him but not intimately. He knew my name but I rarely spoke His.
After college, I married in 1993 and was blessed with two daughters. After nearly nine years of marriage, it became apparent that my marriage was ending. In June 2002, I found myself in a new city, at a new job with a new life as a single mom. My relationship with God had gone from acquaintance to strained. I couldn't process these changes. This was not how my life was supposed to turn out.
During this season of estrangement from both marriage and God, He sent a most unexpected blessing my way. I met Scott Milholland first as a coworker, then as a friend and finally as husband and father to my two girls. God added the bonus of two more daughters.
At the start of our marriage Scott was a new Christian and I had front row seats to God's miracle of a changed life. Problem being I was a bit jealous. My husband transformed more in a few months than I had in fifteen years. I decided to get honest with God and admit that I didn't know Him intimately. I confessed I was a long-term new believer so I decided to begin where new believers start - by reading the gospel of John.
I read a chapter a day or so until I reached John 5. Here I found Jesus healing the man by the Pool at Bethesda. For thirty-eight years that man laid crippled, waiting for a miracle. Jesus looks down with compassion and asks a pointed yet poignant question. Do you want to be well? I knew with certainty He was asking me. I shouted yes in my heart. I took up my mat and began to follow Christ as closely as I knew how. I read and studied His word. I talked to Him in prayer.
My life radically changed. My marriage supernaturally transformed. My parenting permanently revolutionized. I became a woman in love with God one ordinary day at a time.
Today I speak and write to regular girls like me who just want to know if it's possible to have joy among miles of carpools and piles of laundry. Because of God's grace and mercy each ordinary day can be extraordinary.
Meet My Husband
My sweetie is the Senior Executive Pastor and Chief Operating Officer of our church. It is his privilege to serve under James MacDonald at Harvest Bible Chapel and help lead, guide and direct the many ministries of our church. God uses my dear husband's incredible gifts of wisdom and leadership in his role as servant leader. I get to be his cheerleader and it's such an honor. Scott is often quoted as saying his favorite job is that of daddy so...
Meet Our Beautiful Daughters
Hannah is my daughter by blood and Scott's daughter by love. At 18, she is our college student. Unfortunately for her siblings, she's fantastic and has made parenting look easy. She loves Jesus, is called into His ministry and is majoring in Children's Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. God has incredible plans in store for her life.
Hayleigh was born from my womb and Scott's heart. She is our 15 year old and a cheerleader with a personality to match. She enjoys giving others encouragement and love. She is a leader not by voice but by example. God will take her places we can only imagine.
Clara is our little spitfire. She is in 3rd grade and brings energy and enthusiasm into the classroom with her. She is witty and fun. She adds life and love to our family. We thank God for her.
Carynne is our 2nd grade cupcake. She is love and sweetness wrapped into the best the hug you'll ever receive. She loves her family and dogs (not necessarily in that order). She has a heart of tenderness and compassion. It is a privilege to be her mom.
Hayleigh was born from my womb and Scott's heart. She is our 15 year old and a cheerleader with a personality to match. She enjoys giving others encouragement and love. She is a leader not by voice but by example. God will take her places we can only imagine.
Clara is our little spitfire. She is in 3rd grade and brings energy and enthusiasm into the classroom with her. She is witty and fun. She adds life and love to our family. We thank God for her.
Carynne is our 2nd grade cupcake. She is love and sweetness wrapped into the best the hug you'll ever receive. She loves her family and dogs (not necessarily in that order). She has a heart of tenderness and compassion. It is a privilege to be her mom.
When Shannon Isn't a Wife, Mom, Speaker or Writer
When is that exactly? Oh yea, I love reading. I enjoy the way exercise makes me feel but we have a love/hate relationship. I know my way around a kitchen. I spend too much time in the laundry room. I invest in the lives of moms, kids and staff at Harvest Bible Chapel. My life is full and I thank God for it.
